I’ll admit, I’ve been looking forward to, and dreading playing, Volgarr the Viking II in equal measures. A decade or so on from the release of the original game (and you have no idea how old that makes me feel), I suppose it is just about time for a sequel. Hold on tight though, it’s about to get brutal in here…
It’s about here where I like to touch upon whatever narrative is powering a game, but that barely seems to matter here. All we need to know is that Volgarr is back, there are new enemies to chop up (or, more likely, get chopped up by) and a whole plethora of levels to go at. You better believe that there is no peaceful retirement in Valhalla for this Viking.
Presentation is pretty much still the same as the last game, by and large. Volgarr the Viking II is a side-on platformer with retro style pixel art graphics. The levels that we have to play through this time around are larger and seemingly even more deadly than the first time around, which was itself no walk in the park. The sprites are large and well designed, and as Volgarr finds things (more on this later) his appearance changes. The enemies are also large, well designed and numerous – so all the pieces are in place for a game to make ordinary gamers like me cry!
The sound is also great, with suitably crunching combat effects on display throughout, and some very nice music playing through the levels. I’m not sure I’d describe it as “chest thumping” as the developers do, but it is nice enough. All in all, Volgarr the Viking II looks and sounds like a worthy successor to the first game, and who could ask for more?
Now, with story and presentation ticked off the list, the next thing to address is the gameplay. And, if you played the first game, then you’ll know what to expect here – a game that is flipping hard. As in table flipping hard, with pinpoint precision being demanded every time you try to jump or attack. It’s not helped by the fact that Volgarr is as fragile as a glass Viking, so much so that things add up to a game that is going to challenge your patience as much as it challenges your reflexes.
Thankfully, the developers seem to have realised this, as according to them about 90% of us who played the first game didn’t see over half of the game. And so they have decided to do something about it.
Enter – Undead mode. If Volgarr the Viking II detects that you are struggling (and I was, believe me) the game will enter what is called “Undead mode”. It’s here where Volgarr will change from a vibrant healthy Viking into a zombie; something which has a few advantages. First of all, enemy attacks will no longer hurt you in this mode – although knockback can still send you into a pit, toppling to your doom, so be a bit careful. However, in return you will be restricted to the ending you can see as a zombie. After all, an undead doesn’t usually get a happy ending.
I for one am all for it, mostly as I know I’m past my prime platforming years, so anything that can make my life (or undeath) easier is fine by me. And before you all tell me to “git gud”, I’ve spent too many years banging my head against a brick wall, thanks.
Things are obviously different from last time out though. Volgarr has a new party piece this time around, in that he can find things in the environment to make him a bit more durable – extra armour can be found in chests, and even a mighty flaming sword can be located if you are lucky. These extra armour bits work to give you the ability to take an extra hit, a chance of making a mistake without getting crucified for it; but you do lose anything you have if you get hit. And then you die for real the next time you get hit.
In an attempt to make Volgarr II less punishing, the developers have also added in checkpoints – but even here there is a twist. See, you have to destroy the checkpoint in order to activate it. And, best of all, if you lose all your lives and try to continue, the checkpoint doesn’t work, meaning you have to go all the way out to the main menu and load in again in order to use the checkpoint. Yes, I know…
Despite the almost imperceptible attempts to make Volgarr the Viking II a bit easier to live with, it hasn’t really worked – the game is as hard as nails. It is hard for hard’s sake, as far as I can see, and that means the enjoyment levels drop a little. There’s no doubt that this is a game that can be respected, but for many, this will be a hard game too far.
Crafting a Legend: Interview with the Makers of Volgarr the Viking II – https://www.thexboxhub.com/crafting-a-legend-interview-with-the-makers-of-volgarr-the-viking-ii/
Prepare for a Brutal Challenge: Volgarr the Viking II Launches – https://www.thexboxhub.com/prepare-for-a-brutal-challenge-volgarr-the-viking-ii-launches/
Buy Volgarr the Viking II on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/volgarr-the-viking-ii/9p5dnhvp09mf
